John Glaab at Peach Creek Shops (www.peachcreekshops.com) is reporting that Bachmann’s new Spectrum 4-4-0 will be based on a Richmond prototype - the two engines that ran on the Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Thanks for the informatin, Rob. For my edification, is that road the one commonly known as the Ma & Pa?
-Crandell
Crandell - yes, it is the Ma and Pa. If John Glaab’s information is correct, it will be a welcome addition to the shed, a much more useful prototype than the modern 4-4-0 available from IHC and no doubt better executed as well.
The low-boilered 4-6-0 that Bachmann did is, I believe, also a copy of a Ma & Pa prototype.
I think these are very sound choices: both the Ma&Pa 4-6-0 and 4-4-0 were done in small runs in brass, the former by Gem and the latter by Alco. Neither was a particularly good runner (in fact, I sold my Gem 4-6-0 and replaced it was a pair of Bachmanns - a big improvement all around). PFM did the light 2-8-0s, but it imported them for years and years and years, so I’d be surprised if anyone tried to do a diecast version - there probably wouldn’t be enough demand (John was quoting a list price of $240 for the upcoming diecast 4-4-0, and that’s probably about what the 2-8-0s are going for these days, depending on the condition).
You think they’ll be offered with and without sound? If it’s sound only, I probably won’t be buying one. I prefer the silence of the motor and drive system.[:D] Well, at least the ones that are silent. I like my Athearns and other noisier engines, too.[:D]
It’s a great prototype that can fit in on many railroads especially shortlines right up to the 40’s and 50’s. I’ll be getting two of them. Here’s a few pictures pictures. Bruce
Cool concept drawing!!!
I’m pretty stoked - I always liked the prototypes. The non-DCC version looks pretty affordable.
http://www.caboosehobbies.com/catalog/Description.cfm?sku=016083401
How does this engine pull ? Will it pull 3-4 heavy coach passenger cars on some what level grade ? Thanks Joe
Joe,
We will have to wait about a year to find out the answer to that question. Probably two to four wood passenger cars around the 60-foot length would be prototypical. These type locomotives would have also been used on shortlines and branch lines to haul short freights. Both of my Spectrum 4-6-0’s will handle a four-car passenger train on level track. Both have difficulty with just a few freight cars on more than a 1% grade. They have some weight as the boilers and cabs are die cast. I didn’t expect much with such small locomotives but I was bit surprised they didn’t do a little better as I have several even smaller HOn3 locomotives that hunker down and haul their short trains up 2% grades without much trouble. The Spectrum line of steam locomotives is very nice. Still no matter how much we praise the new plastic and die cast they can’t top a good brass locomotive. Fortunately my Texas Midland has no grades as the prototype ran through fairly level terrain for the most part. So I should be able to get away with using the Spectrum 4-4-0’s and save a little money, as you should since you don’t have much in the way of grades either. Bruce
it hasn’t been released yet .
if that is indeed the prototype then i’m going to get one , nice looking engine
The Spectrum 4-6-0’s can barely pull themselves up a 5% grade. Two boxcars or two short Overton’s is right at the edge of what it will pull, some days it will and some days it won’t. I double them up and pull four.
I’m not very clear on why this is such a problem. The integral weight/frame on diesel locomotives has clearly shown the path to pulling power, but steam models are still using lightweight plastic and missing all kinds of opportunity for extra weight.Just filling the stacks, cylinders and domes with cast metal would probably double their pulling power, but so far,the lesson isn’t sinking in.
I’m going to hold back on the 4-4-0 until I see if they address pulling power effectively. I just don’t have room for yard queens that can’t pull the grade. Hoping this one takes advantage of the newer technology and comes in as heavy as possible.
Any Ma & Pa 4-4-0s resemble any B&O 4-4-0s? - Nevin
Take a look at Staufer & Sagle’s B&O Power -
It has some limited dimensional information on the B&O’s eight-wheelers - cylinders, drivers, that kind of thing - as well as photos. There may be a few of the later classes that come close.
Five percent is pretty much the outer edge of the envelope for a conventional adhesion railroad. That’s probably not far off prototypical performance.
My fleet of Overtons is giddy with anticipation[dinner]
Yeah with any luck I can kitbash a couple of these into GB&W engines and into Copper Range locos.
This will add some nice feeder traffic for my mainline.